Pervert is told he will die in prison

Eighty-year-old Matthew Balderson sexually abused two schoolgirls nearly 30 years ago, targeting one of them more than 700 times.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the former steelworker had unlawful sex with the girl on cushions on his living room floor when she was addicted to sniffing lighter fuel.

It began when she was ten, and when she was 14 she tried to kill herself after he told her that he had put a curse on her life.

She again attempted suicide last year with a pills overdose when police began investigations, said prosecutor Simon Reevell.

She said that she lost her job because of mental health problems, and her two grown-up children walked out on her.

Bachelor Balderson's crimes only came to light when the second victim went on a course to become a child sex abuse counsellor and she realised he could target other youngsters.

Balderson claimed it began when he was drinking heavily and living alone after the deaths of his parents and his brother.

Judge Michael Taylor told the shuffling pensioner, who removed his flat cap to be sentenced: "I make it plain that I consider you to be a serious risk to young children.

"The probability is that you will die in prison.

"If you had been a younger man I would have imposed a sentence of prison for an indeterminate time."

Christine Egerton, defending, said Balderson needed help because he had distorted views on sexual behaviour.

She added: "Given his age, the impact of his custodial sentence will be greater than for younger people.

"He is prepared to take his punishment. He has not touched alcohol for 18 years and he considers himself to be completely different from what he was."

Balderson of Phoenix Close, Hartlepool, was jailed for 12 years, banned for life from having contact with under 18S, and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

He pleaded guilty to 15 specimen offences of unlawful sexual intercourse and one of indecent assault on a 12 year-old girl between 1982 and 1987.